Cavendon Hall Part 26

Diedre crossed the room in a sedate fashion, came to a standstill in front of Daphne, and looked down at the baby. Quite suddenly, unexpectedly, she moved the shawl away, revealing the baby in her long nightgown. "Lovely child, Daphne," she said. "And quite a good size for a premature baby, wouldn't you say?"

"Quite the normal size for a premature baby," Hugo cut in swiftly, his voice controlled. Being protective of Daphne, he was annoyed. He had discovered Diedre was a sourpuss with a mean streak, and it was obvious she was envious of all her sisters, and not just his wife.

He fully understood why Dulcie didn't like her and was afraid of her. Since they had been living in the South Wing, Hugo had befriended Dulcie, who was neglected by her mother, in his opinion. But then Felicity was recovering from a bout of exhaustion. He thought she looked on the edge today, and there was a faded air about her. Sometimes she seemed distracted, he thought, and acted very strangely at times. She had changed a lot lately.

Once everyone was seated, Daphne handed the baby to Charlotte, and stood up. She walked across to the fireplace and beckoned for Hugo to join her.

Together they faced the room and their guests, and Daphne said, "We've been calling our daughter Baby, as everyone else has, but we have been considering names for her. And now that we've settled on them we thought this afternoon was as good a time as any to reveal them to you."

"She has four names," Hugo told them. "And lovely names they are, as far as we're concerned. And very meaningful to us."

Daphne looked across at Alice Swann. "Baby's first name is Alicia, and she will be called that. She is named in honor of you, Mrs. Alice. Because you have been so wonderful to me all my life, and especially lately."

Alice was so startled and touched she couldn't respond, and her eyes filled with tears. After a moment, she said, in a trembling voice, "Thank you, Lady Daphne. You too, Mr. Hugo." She paused, unable to continue, then after taking a deep breath she finished, "I am very honored."

"Her second name is Felicity, for you, Mama, and for all the reasons you know. Hugo and I hope this pleases you."

"It does indeed, Daphne and Hugo, and I thank you with all my heart."

Hugo now spoke. "We come to Baby's third name. It is Gwendolyn, and she's called after you, Aunt Gwen, because of what you have meant to me, especially as a child. And also to the entire family."

Lady Gwendolyn's eyes were moist when she answered in the most surprised voice, "Thank you, Hugo, and you too, Daphne. I'm afraid I can't say anything else. You see, you've knocked the breath out of an old lady, who for once in her life has been rendered speechless."

Everyone laughed.

When the room was silent again, Daphne spoke. "Finally, we come to the last name, but by no means the least. It is Charlotte, and she's named for you, Miss Charlotte. For your devotion and wisdom. And the help you've always given me ... and for being a fine example of true Swann loyalty to the Inghams."

Charlotte was genuinely moved, and she choked up for a second, was unable to respond. Finally, she said, "Thank you, Lady Daphne, for those kind words, and how lovely of you both to give your first child my name. I'm so very touched."

Charlotte looked down at the sleeping child in her arms. "As a Swann I will always be there for her, whenever she needs me. I will protect her always."

Forty-three.

Hugo stood at the French doors in the library, looking out at the terrace. Except that he couldn't see a thing. Frost on gla.s.s had made an intricate pattern, was blurring his view. It was already March but snow had been falling for several days now, and it didn't look like stopping.

Outside everything was covered in a blanket of pure white, and the surrounding countryside was beautiful, but it was hard to get around the estate, and the weather was icy cold. Fortunately Hanson had fires burning brightly throughout the house and there was a cheerful atmosphere.

How glad he was he had not bought Whernside House. They would have been isolated out there in weather like this. Daphne had suddenly understood that, and she had also pointed out that the house was far too large for them anyway. Shortly after this conversation, the surveyors he had hired presented him with a bad report about the roof and the foundations of the house. All needed extensive work. That was that, as far as he was concerned. He agreed with Daphne they should pa.s.s on the house.

Charles had invited them to live in the South Wing, and they had accepted with alacrity. He and Daphne had enjoyed being there so much Daphne had eventually told her father they would prefer to live at Cavendon permanently, rather than seek a home of their own. n.o.body had been happier than the earl.

They had soon discovered that the unusually beautiful South Wing was also comfortable and easy to manage, and it was private whilst still allowing them to be in the midst of the family, and with the downstairs staff readily available.

Hugo was genuinely happy about the arrangement, and one of the reasons was that he would have to travel soon. He must be in Zurich for several meetings, and also in London. He had been putting the trip off, but now he would be leaving tomorrow. It was imperative.

Knowing that Daphne and the baby were with her family made him feel comfortable and at ease about them. He loved them both very much, and he was filled with the kind of happiness he had not thought possible. He knew he was a lucky man.

Charles came into the library, breaking into his thoughts. "I had Gregg drive to Harrogate and back," the earl announced. "And I'm happy to tell you the roads are clear. He'll have no problems driving you to the station tomorrow, and the trains are running on time."

"Thanks for doing that, Charles, and it's good to know," Hugo answered.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay at the Mayfair house?" Charles now stood in front of the fireplace warming his back, and he threw Hugo a questioning look.

Walking over to join him, Hugo shook his head. "Thank you, Charles, it's awfully good of you to offer. But I'll be in London for only two nights. It's not worth opening up the house for such a short stay."

Charles nodded. "Whatever suits you best, old chap."

"The reason I'm going to Switzerland via London is to see my former personal a.s.sistant, Jill Handelsman. She worked alongside Ben Silver first, and then became my PA after his death. She and her husband came to live in London about five years ago, and I've stayed in contact with her. I'm hoping she'll agree to find and open a London office for me, and run it."

"She's that good, is she?" Charles raised a brow.

"One of the smartest women in business I've ever met," Hugo replied.

Charles sat down on the Chesterfield and leaned back, his expression thoughtful. He said, after a moment, "I don't mean to pry, but I'm curious. Why do you need a London office?"

"I need a proper organization to handle my private money, and personal investments around the world. In other words, what I made myself, as opposed to what I inherited from the Silvers. Which is the whole real estate company, by the way. This is run in New York by Leonard Peters, who has been president of the corporation for years, even when Ben was alive. I've no worries about him; he's doing a superlative job. He likes me to visit New York from time to time, but basically he's in charge, reporting to me every week."

"And when do you plan to go to New York?" Charles asked. "And do you plan to take Daphne with you every time you go? You did tell me you wanted to travel back and forth."

"I did want to do that, but not anymore. I don't believe it will be possible, or, quite frankly, very safe. The high seas are going to be highly dangerous, in my opinion."

"War? You're thinking of war, aren't you?" Charles stared at his son-in-law intently.

Hugo nodded.

"So the kaiser is ready to march?"

"I believe he is. He's building up the German navy, for one thing. And thankfully, Churchill's doing the same with ours. He's been doing that since he first became First Lord of the Admiralty in 1911. He's very aware of the kaiser's aims. As the Germans build one new dreadnought battleship, Churchill builds two for the Royal Navy. Then when Germany builds two, Churchill builds three."

"An arms race, obviously."

"Correct. That's why Winston is always endeavoring to squeeze more and more money out of Parliament for his naval budget. I guess he drives them mad with his demands, but by G.o.d he's right, as far as I'm concerned."

"Asquith likes Winston, I'm told by my friends in the know," Charles said. "And that's good enough for me."

"I'd go as far as to say that the prime minister admires Winston Churchill and likes Lloyd George. There are some good men in Asquith's government and they'll cope with a war. It's a b.l.o.o.d.y awful thing to think about, though."

"I trust Churchill's judgment. He has enormous potential," Charles remarked.

"I wish we could avoid a conflict, but unfortunately England promised France that we would come to their aid if they were invaded," Hugo pointed out.

"I know. If push comes to shove, that's what we'll have to do, I suppose."

"And G.o.d help us all." Hugo shook his head, and looked off into the distance, as if seeing something only visible to himself. After a long moment, he said in a low voice, "Bad times are coming, and the world will never be the same again."

Forty-four.

"Thank you so much, Hanson, the room looks elegant yet nicely masculine," Daphne said, smiling at the butler.

"It was a pleasure to help you, Lady Daphne, but I can't really take credit for this. It's all your doing."

Daphne and Hanson were standing in the doorway of a small sitting room in the South Wing, which together they had redecorated as a library.

In the three days Hugo had been away, most of the furniture had been removed to the attics, and other pieces brought down. The room now boasted a mahogany bookcase, a small Georgian desk and desk chair, plus the sofa and an armchair which had stayed in place.

"It'll be very comfortable for Mr. Hugo," Hanson said, his eyes sweeping around the room. "And I'm glad we found those hunting prints, they look well in here, m'lady."

"They do indeed, Hanson. Now, I just have to go and borrow a few books from the library to fill the bookcase."

Hanson pondered for a moment, and said, "I do believe there are some boxes of leather-bound books in the attics above the East Wing, Lady Daphne. Mrs. Thwaites always stores things very well, and I'm certain they are in perfect condition. Shall I have them brought down for you to look at?"

"Certainly, Hanson, thank you very much. And now, if you'll excuse me, I must pop into the nursery to see the baby."

"Yes, my lady, of course, and the books will be here and unpacked in a jiffy."

She smiled and thanked him again, and the two of them went their separate ways; Hanson to the East Wing, Daphne to the nursery farther down the corridor.

Miss Jane Willis was the baby nurse, and she had arrived at Cavendon a few days before the baby was born. She was in her midtwenties, young, energetic, and very caring of Alicia, and Daphne was pleased with her.

Miss Willis had trained at Norland College, where baby nurses and nannies were schooled in the best tradition. Daphne was glad she had listened to her mother.

It was Felicity who had suggested she hire a baby nurse for the first six weeks, to help get on her feet and also to create a proper routine for the child. Daphne thought of Miss Willis as a G.o.dsend.

Miss Willis held her fingers to her lips when Daphne appeared in the doorway of the nursery, and then smiled, beckoned her into the room. Alicia was fast asleep in her cradle, and Daphne looked down at her child, marveling at her yet again. "I'll come back later," she mouthed silently, and slipped out, made her way to the lavender room she shared with Hugo. He had a dressing room next door, which had a French daybed in it. "But that's just for show, I hope," Hugo had said when he had seen it. "I've no intention of sleeping alone. I want you next to me in bed always." And that was the way it was, and always would be.

Daphne smiled to herself when she thought of Hugo's comments, not only about their sleeping arrangements but many other things as well. He was very modern in his way of thinking, and forthright, and spoke to her openly about a variety of subjects.

Opening the wardrobe door, Daphne glanced at the dresses hanging there, wondering what to wear that evening for dinner. Something simple, she thought, since she and her mother would be the only two people dining. Unless Great-Aunt Gwendolyn had been invited to join them. She would ask Hanson about that later.

It seemed to Daphne that the house was deserted and quieter than usual today. Guy was at Oxford, Miles at Eton; Diedre had gone to Gloucestershire yesterday, to stay with Maxine Lowe at her house near Cirencester; and her father had driven to Northallerton this morning. He was to be a pallbearer at the funeral of one of his oldest friends. He had insisted Felicity stay at Cavendon, pointing out that there was no need for her to go. And Hugo was off on his business trip, and would be arriving in Zurich tonight. In particular, she missed his cheerful and loving presence, felt lost without him, and couldn't wait for him to get back.

There was a knock on the door, and it opened at once. Peggy Swift looked into the bedroom, and said, "Could I speak to you for a minute, Lady Daphne?"

"Of course, Swift, come in," Daphne answered with a warm smile. Peggy Swift had become her lady's maid after her marriage, and Daphne liked her, favored her. She was a good worker, took wonderful care of Daphne's clothes, and was efficient. And she had a nice disposition.

The young woman stepped into the room, closed the door behind her. Daphne looked across at her and frowned. "What is it, Peggy? You look upset."

"No, I'm not really, m'lady, but something has been preying on my mind a bit, and I wanted to ... well, get it off my chest. But first I must ask you not to repeat what I tell you."

Daphne sat down in a chair and said, "I promise I won't break your confidence."

Peggy Swift liked and admired Lady Daphne, and genuinely trusted her, knowing her to be a good person, caring and compa.s.sionate. There was a sweetness about her that touched Peggy. Yet she now found she couldn't speak out.

Daphne said, "It's very private here, Peggy, as you well know. You can speak freely." When still Peggy hesitated, Daphne said, "You're not ill, are you?"

"No, no, it's nothing like that, Lady Daphne. It's just that I don't know how to begin."

"Just blurt it out. I've found that's the only way," Daphne advised, smiling encouragingly.

"It's about Gordon, and me too, and I don't want to get him into trouble. Will you keep my secret, m'lady?"

"I said I would, Peggy, and I mean it. So come along, tell me." As she spoke Daphne couldn't help wondering if Peggy was pregnant, but then dismissed this thought. Peggy wouldn't fall into that trap again. Leaning back in the chair, she waited patiently.

"Well, you see, it's like this. Sometimes Gordon and I sneak out at night. After our supper, and the cleaning up is finished. Gordon likes to go for a little stroll and have a cigarette. When the weather's nice. And well, last summer we went out for a bit..." Peggy paused, took a deep breath, and said in a low voice, "Several times I think we were being watched."

"What on earth do you mean?" Daphne sat up straighter in the chair, focusing on Peggy at once, concerned by this comment.

"When we were in the bluebell woods, having a little kiss, a cuddle, I heard noises. Like someone was there in the bushes, watching us. Rustling noises, twigs snapping. So we ran back to the house. And then another time, we'd gone to have a walk round the lake."

Peggy shook her head, rested her hand on a chest of drawers. "I know we shouldn't have been there-" She broke off, looking worried.

Daphne said, "Continue. Peggy, I'm not going to tell Hanson you were outside when you should have been indoors."

"We went into the old boathouse, Lady Daphne. It was filled with moonlight and Gordon saw a stub of a candle and lit it. So we could see. I don't like the dark. We were just having a cuddle ... you know we're going to get married when we can." Peggy bit her lip, and after a moment, she continued. "A bit later the candle died, then the moon went behind the clouds, and Gordon lit a match. So we could see our way out. And I was facing the window and there was a man staring in, watching us."

"Oh my goodness! That must have been upsetting!" Daphne exclaimed.

"It was, my lady. Gordon and I, well, we rushed outside. And we saw the man, he was running away."

"Who was it?" Daphne asked, more concerned than ever.

"I don't know, Lady Daphne. But it was a funny feeling, knowing somebody was watching us. Like a Peeping Tom. We came back to the house. And we didn't go for strolls again."

"And you're sure it wasn't anyone you know?" Daphne probed.

"Well, it was always dark, but who'd do that? Not anybody who works here, I don't think."

"That's true."

Peggy said, "Don't give us away, Lady Daphne. Gordon doesn't want to get sacked. I don't either. I'm telling you this because it's sort of ... well, it's worried me that someone is lurking around Cavendon."

"I promise I won't involve you and Gordon, Peggy, but I can't just leave it like this. I've got to say something to someone."

"But not Hanson or Mrs. Thwaites. Please, Lady Daphne."

"I suppose I could speak to Miss Charlotte, and she in turn could have a word with Percy Swann. As the head gamekeeper he's basically in charge of the estate. At least it would alert him."